Case Series: Limited Opioid Withdrawal With Use of Transdermal Buprenorphine to Bridge to Sublingual Buprenorphine in Hospitalized Patients.

BACKGROUND: Prerequisite opioid withdrawal symptoms prior to buprenorphine induction are unacceptable to many patients. We assessed whether transdermal buprenorphine minimized withdrawal while bridging to sublingual therapy among hospital inpatients. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of (n = 23) inpatients with opioid use disorder or opioid dependence due to chronic pain. RESULTS: Of 23 inpatients, 65% transitioned without symptoms, while 35% experienced mild withdrawal. Ninety-six percent completed planned hospitalizations, with 83% engaged in treatment 4 weeks post-discharge. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Bridging to sublingual therapy with transdermal buprenorphine patches was feasible without withdrawal symptoms. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This strategy may facilitate buprenorphine therapy in hospital inpatients. (Am J Addict 2019;00:1-4).